3-Mario Lemieux - Most physically dominant offensive threat of all time. Dominant reach, incredibly soft hands, strength, size, speed, agility, and an absolute cannon of a shot. Able to beat defenders in every way ever imagined. Probably the best pure puck handler/deker/dangler in the history of the game in a 6'4'' frame. All this to go along with exceptional vision and passing ability. Trademark ability to make tricky plays in close around the net. Dominant even with cancer.
2-Sydney Crosby - Most talented grinder to ever play the game. Dominant in the face off circle and very good in his own end. Pound for pound one of the strongest players in the league, incredible foot speed and balance in the corners. Possesses perhaps the best hand eye coordination ever witnessed, which makes him downright lethal around the net. Very quick release snap shot that perfectly complements his skating and strength. Quick hands and powerful speed through the neutral zone allows him to dominate defensemen in 1 on 1, 1 on 2, and even 1 on 3 situations. On top of all of this, he is able to process and anticipate plays with lightning quickness, and make precision passes through traffic. The scary part: he hasn't peaked yet.
1-Wayne Gretzky - Above average skater with slippery agility. High-end ability to think the game and see holes in defenses. Almost every pass he made was on the tape, no matter what the angle or obstacle. Had a very dangerous and underrated slap shot. Soft hands, able to feather passes like no one before (and after) him. The way he does the game basically slowed down to let him do what he wanted. Invented the idea of working behind the net. Superior creativity and ability to make his line mates better. He has more assists than anyone else has points and he has the most goals of all time. 50 goals in 39 games and a 51 games point streak will never be touched. His jersey is retired league-wide because he's The Great One.
Good post but don't you think that Crosby is not as dominant as Lemieux and Gretzky were back then? His MVP last year was quite fade. Letang or Kessel could have won it. This year was not that clear too. Not like when Lemieux or Gretzky got it.